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Somerset Patriots INF/OF Chris Marrero was among the ALPB leaders in hitting before he being signed by the Chicago White Sox professional organization

The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), the nation’s most progressive independent league, has had the contracts of 42 of its players purchased by MLB or international organizations this year through the halfway point in the season. In comparison, last year 55 ALPB players were signed during the entire season.

Although ALPB clubs are unaffiliated, the League and MLB work through a unique agreement governing the transfer of players to Major League teams. This spring, the Atlantic League became the first independent league to enter into a relationship with Major League Baseball, formalizing the process under which its players’ contracts could be sold to MLB organizations.

“The Atlantic League showcases an exceptionally high-quality on-field product,” said Rick White, President of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. “We are the stepping stone for many talented young players and veterans to advance to the highest level of competition in the Major Leagues.”

Among the recent former Atlantic League players currently in the Majors are Houston Astros pitcher Scott Kazmir, 31, who started 14 games in 2012 with the Sugar Land Skeeters before signing with the Cleveland Indians for the 2013 season. During his time with the Skeeters, he rediscovered the pitching mechanics that made him an elite pitcher. On July 24, former York Revolution pitcher Ian Thomas earned a win in his first major league start with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the New York Mets. Thus far this year, the York Revolution have seen nine of their players sign with Major League organizations.

“If a player gets cut or fails to make a big league roster, their dream does not have to end,” said ALPB Executive Director of Baseball Operations Joe Klein, who spent decades in MLB front offices. “Years ago that may have been the case, but the talent pool these days is immense and it takes some players longer than others to reach their full potential. The Atlantic League affords these players the opportunity to hone their skills at a high level of competition.”

ALPB Contracts Transferred in 2015

Name

Position

ALPB Team

MLB/Int’l Team

Class

Greg Smith

LHP

Bridgeport

Atlanta

AAA

Trayvon Robinson

OF

Long Island

Arizona

AAA

Brandon Snyder

OF

Southern Maryland

Baltimore

AA

PJ Walters

P

Lancaster

LA Dodgers

AAA

Mike Blanke

C

Long Island

Boston

AA

Chuckie Fick

RHP

Lancaster

Rhinos

T

Hector Ambriz

RHP

Long Island

Washington

AA

David Cooper

1B

Lancaster

NY Mets

AA

Gabby Hernandez

RHP

Southern Maryland

Taiwan

T

Jason Uriquez

RHP

Lancaster

Tijuana

M

Edwin Quirate

RHP

Somerset

SF Giants

AA

Jeremy Barfield

OF

Camden

Quintana

M

Dan Henningan

INF

Camden

LA Dodgers

A

Bryan Evans

RHP

Lancaster

Colorado

AA

Mike McClendon

RHP

York

Brothers

T

Julio De Paula

RHP

York

Carman

M

Mickey Storey

RHP

Somerset

LA Dodgers

AA

Ildemaro Vargas

INF

Bridgeport

Arizona

A

Nick Van Stratten

OF

Bridgeport

Reynosa

M

Parker Frazier

RHP

Bridgeport

Arizona

A

Shaun Garceau

RHP

Southern Maryland

Taiwan

T

Kyle Hankerd

OF

Southern Maryland

Mexico City

M

Chris Marrero

INF

Somerset

W Sox

AA

Tyler Bortnick

INF

Lancaster

Seattle

AA

Blake Gaillen

OF

Lancaster

Angels

A

Jeremy Barfield

OF

Sugar Land

Colorado

A

Jon Leicester

RHP

Southern Maryland

Puebla

M

Tim Chapman

OF

Bridgeport

Philadelphia

AA

Fernando Nieve

RHP

Southern Maryland

Campeche

M

Dustin Martin

OF

Sugar Land

Quinton Roo

M

Mike Antonini

LHP

Bridgeport

Angels

AA

Mickey Jannis

RHP

Long Island

NY Mets

A

Chien-Ming Wang

RHP

Southern Maryland

Mariners

AAA

Luis Rodriguez

INF

Bridgeport

M

M

Andrew Barbosa

LHP

Long Island

Atlanta

AA

Shannon Wilkerson

OF

York

Minnesota

AA

Hunter Cervenka

LHP

Sugar Land

Atlanta

A

Lew Ford

OF

Long Island

Tijuana

M

Cory Riordan

RHP

Bridgeport

Lamigo

M

Jonathan Galvez

INF

Bridgeport

NY Mets

AA

Joe Benson

OF

Sugar Land

NY Mets

AA

Carlos Guzman

1B

Camden

Campeche

M

About The Atlantic League

The Atlantic League is considered the most innovative league in professional baseball, offers the highest level of minor league baseball playing skills, and is a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Its players are highly experienced professionals, having progressed through professional baseball’s developmental levels (A, AA, AAA). Over 40% of all Atlantic League players have Major League service time. Like MLB, Atlantic League clubs pay their players to win baseball games, not to apprentice as in baseball’s developmental levels. The following teams play in the Atlantic League: Bridgeport Bluefish, Camden Riversharks, Lancaster Barnstormers, Long Island Ducks, Somerset Patriots, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Sugar Land Skeeters, and York Revolution.